Published Oct 05, 2026 | 3:00 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 05, 2026 | 3:00 PM
The allegations were serious, the court said, and the investigation ordered by the government should be allowed to proceed.
Synopsis: The Kerala High Court has expressed displeasure over the Kerala Public Service Commission’s challenge to a Crime Branch investigation into alleged irregularities in a State Planning Board recruitment examination. The court said the investigation should proceed and asked why PSC officials had not appeared before investigators despite receiving notices.
The Kerala High Court on Monday, 5 October expressed displeasure over the Kerala Public Service Commission (KPSC) approaching it against the Crime Branch investigation into alleged irregularities in an examination for recruitment to posts in the State Planning Board.
Justice A Badharudeen asked why the PSC had moved the court before the investigation was completed. The court said the issue was not merely whether a complaint was relevant, but whether established norms had been violated to favour a particular candidate.
“The question is whether you have violated the norms usually being followed with a view to give advantage to somebody whom the post is intended,” the court observed.
The allegations were serious, the court said, and the investigation ordered by the government should be allowed to proceed.
The court also stressed what candidates appearing for government recruitment examinations should be able to expect: that they can secure a government job through hard work and merit, on the basis of a fair examination, without influence or manipulation.
The issue of the PSC’s cooperation with the investigation came up after DGP T Asaf Ali told the court that the PSC chairman and members had not appeared before investigating officers despite receiving notices.
The court asked why the Commission had not cooperated with the investigation.
If the PSC’s position was that its actions complied with the relevant orders and rules, its representatives could appear before the investigators, give their statements and produce the necessary documents to support their position, the court said.
Questioning or interrogation of the persons concerned was an important stage of an investigation, the court said. It also clarified that the PSC functionaries had been called to provide information and were not being summoned as accused persons, but as persons acquainted with the facts of the case.
Also Read: Woman allegedly drugged, gang-raped at Kochi spa after job offer; two held
The controversy concerns recruitment to senior posts in the State Planning Board. The notification for the posts was issued in 2022, with one vacancy each in the Industry and Infrastructure Division, Perspective Planning Division and Planning Coordination Division.
The examination had two papers, with the first paper common to all three categories. More than 200 candidates appeared.
The rank list published in May 2025 was prepared using marks obtained in the remaining portions of the examination and the interview. Answers to questions 9 to 18 of the first paper were not evaluated.
The PSC subsequently recommended the first-ranked candidates for the Industry and Infrastructure and Planning Coordination divisions. The appointments were made in June 2025.
Allegations were later raised about the manner in which the examination and appointments were handled. These included claims that some of those appointed to the posts, which carry a salary of more than ₹1.25 lakh, were associated with Left-wing organisations. The Crime Branch registered an FIR against PSC staff members following the allegations. The PSC has challenged the registration of the case.
The High Court is scheduled to consider the matter in detail on Tuesday.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
